If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a fire truck, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle, it is important to understand your legal rights and the steps you should take to protect yourself. To learn how a lawyer can help, contact Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group at (772) 569-8155. You can also contact us online.
Accidents involving fire trucks and other emergency vehicles in St. Petersburg, Florida, can be particularly complex. These vehicles often operate under emergency conditions. They are responding to critical situations when their lights and sirens are activated.
However, just because a vehicle is an emergency vehicle doesn’t mean its driver is immune to causing an accident. If you’ve been involved in an accident, reach out to our team to schedule a free consultation with a St. Petersburg fire truck and emergency vehicle accident lawyer.
Why Choose Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group to Help After an Accident Involving an Emergency Vehicle in St. Petersburg, FL?
At Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group, we have a proven track record of success handling complex personal injury cases in St. Petersburg, FL. This includes cases that involve fire trucks or other emergency vehicles.
Here’s why you should choose us to handle your case:
- Experience handling complex cases: Our attorneys have more than 5 decades of combined legal experience. We have the expertise to handle even the most challenging cases.
- Track record of success: We have successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients. We help our clients secure compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
- Dedicated to every detail: We leave no stone unturned when investigating your case. We conduct a thorough investigation to determine liability, consult with expert witnesses, and use all available evidence to support your claim.
- Aggressive negotiators and skilled litigators: We work tirelessly to negotiate favorable settlements with insurance companies. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial to ensure the best possible outcome.
We have extensive experience handling personal injury cases, including accidents involving emergency vehicles. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients and are committed to helping you seek the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a St. Petersburg personal injury attorney.
Do I Have an Accident Claim if I Was Involved in an Accident With an Emergency Vehicle in St. Petersburg?
Accidents involving fire trucks, ambulances, or other emergency vehicles can present unique legal challenges. However, it is important to remember that emergency vehicle drivers are not immune to liability. If the emergency vehicle was operating negligently, causing the accident, you may have a valid personal injury claim.
What Causes Most Accidents with Emergency Vehicles in St. Petersburg?
Accidents involving emergency vehicles can be caused by various factors. Some of the most common reasons for accidents include:
- Negligent or reckless driving: Emergency vehicle operators are not exempt from the rules of the road. When they fail to drive safely or do not adhere to traffic laws, accidents can occur.
- Failure to yield the right of way: In many cases, other drivers do not yield the right of way to emergency vehicles. This can lead to accidents. If you were in the path of an emergency vehicle and had the right of way, you may have a valid claim.
- Inadequate emergency vehicle maintenance: Fire trucks and ambulances require regular maintenance to ensure they are safe to operate. If an accident is caused by mechanical failure due to inadequate maintenance, the responsible party may be liable.
- Improper use of emergency vehicle privileges: Emergency vehicle drivers have certain privileges, such as driving through red lights. However, they must use these privileges safely. If the emergency vehicle driver was reckless, they could be held responsible for the accident.
We’ll investigate your case and help get to the bottom of why it happened.
What Damages Are Available to Victims of Accidents with Emergency Vehicles?
If you are injured in an accident involving an emergency vehicle, you may be entitled to compensatory damages. These damages include your economic and non-economic damages, which can include:
- Medical expenses: You may be able to recover the cost of your past and future medical bills related to the accident. This includes hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to your lost income and diminished earning potential.
- Pain and suffering: You may be able to recover compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by the accident.
- Property damage: If your vehicle was damaged in the accident, you can seek compensation for repair or replacement costs.
- Punitive damages: In some cases, if the emergency vehicle driver was grossly negligent or acted recklessly, you may be entitled to punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct.
We’ll help quantify all of your damages and ensure you are compensated.
How Long Do I Have to File My Accident Case?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is typically two years from the date of the crash. It is essential to act quickly. Filing within this period ensures that you preserve important evidence along with your ability to seek damages.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Accident Lawyer?
At Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group, we provide legal counsel on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay any upfront costs. We only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you.
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After an Accident with an Emergency Vehicle?
A personal injury lawyer with experience in handling emergency vehicle accidents is essential for several reasons:
- Understanding complex laws: Florida law gives emergency vehicles certain privileges. For instance, emergency vehicles have the ability to drive through red lights and disregard certain traffic rules when responding to emergencies. However, these privileges do not protect emergency vehicle drivers from being held accountable if their negligence causes an accident.
- Proving fault: Proving that the emergency vehicle driver was negligent can be difficult. A skilled attorney will gather evidence, consult accident reconstruction experts, and use their legal expertise to demonstrate that the emergency vehicle driver was at fault.
- Dealing with government entities: Accidents involving fire trucks and other emergency vehicles often involve government agencies, which can complicate the legal process. Our attorneys are experienced in dealing with governmental immunity issues and other challenges that arise in these cases.
To learn more about how an attorney can help, contact our team today.
Schedule a Free Case Consultation with a St. Petersburg Emergency Vehicle Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving an emergency vehicle in St. Petersburg, Florida, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Contact Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group to get started on your path toward recovery.
We offer a free consultation with a St. Petersburg fire truck and other emergency vehicle accident lawyer and are ready to guide you through the legal process.
